Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 9: Minister for Forest and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad today asked the executing agencies to gear up men and machinery for effective implementation of prestigious Wullar Conservation Plan, for which Centre has already released the first installment of Rs 56 crore out of a total project cost of Rs 120 crore sanctioned under 13th Financial Commission.
Chairing the first meeting of the Wullar Conservation and Management Authority (WC&MA) at Civil Secretariat, Mian Altaf asked the concerned officers to submit proposals immediately for importing modern dredging machines for desilting of the Wullar lake. He ordered for procurement of JCB and Water Boats for initiating dredging/desilting work in the lake.
He also directed for procuring solar lights from J&K Energy Development Agency (JKEDA) without any delay so that these are installed round the lake as a sequel to the face lifting and beautification measures. He urged for greater coordination between the Wullar Development Authority and State Forest Corporation (SFC) to ensure cutting and extraction of a extra plants from within the lake body so that the wood is put to the proper use on commercial lines.
The Minister also directed for hiring of suitable accommodation for staff of the WDA till the requisite basic infrastructure on permanent basis is created.
The meeting discussed various issues pertaining to the conservation of this Asia’s largest Water Body, which include purchase of equipments, office establishment, providing of engineering staff, catchment area treatment programme, revised works programmes etc.
The Minister said that Rs 120 crore Wullar Conservation Plan sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has to be completed upto 2015 positively, adding that the main focus should be on Land and Water Resources Management Survey, demarcation of the Catchment Area and Water Management.
Mian Altaf directed the executing agencies to complete the targets fixed for completion of various conservation works within stipulated time frame, adding that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is personally monitoring the pace of restoration works on the lake.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Vinod Ranjan, Commissioner, Secretary, Forest, Shantmanu, Additional PCCF, OSD/Wullar, Abdul Razak, Conservator Water Management, Shuja Hyderi, Conservator CAT, Mohammad Manzoor and JD Planning Z. A. Banaday were present on the occasion.
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